The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-21
OLD SMITHS ROMANCE.
His Acquaintance With a Pretty
Milliner Girl

When it was whispered at the mess of the
Hopshire that "Old Smith," as he was
familIarly called, had been actually de-
tected in a clandestine acquaintance with a
certain pretty milliner girl in the town of
Filstone, where the regiment was quar-
tered, the announcement was received
partly with amusement and partly with in
credulity.
Smith was aquiet, retiring man, perfectly
harmless, very good natured, the guide,
philosopher and friend of the youngsters,
although he was made butt by these same
youngsters, on account of his awkwardness
and his mysterious habits, and was uni
versally respected, as he had shown con-
spicuous gallantry among the zerebas of
the Soudan. As he was poor man and re-
manned in the regiment partly out of sheer
affection for the service and partly because
he was at an age when it is difficult to en-
bark upon new course of life, he mixed
but little in the gayeties and hospitality for
which the Hopshire was famous, spent his
time principally among his books, and, it
was generally believed, in adding to his
professional income by contributing to
periodical literature.
The object of old Smiths intentions, it
was reported, was Oracle Clough-a pretty,
modest, well-behaved girl, who occupied
position in the millinery establishment OF
Ruche & Bustle, and after whom half the
subs in the battalion were raving, although
not a word had been breathed that she had
in the smallest degree outstepped the
bounds of propriety or had upon any oc,a-
sion behaved herself otherwise than mod
estly and becomirgly. OF these smitten
youngsters none was more ardent In his
professions Of admiration, and none could
congratulate himself upon having made a
nearer approach to conquest, than the
harum-scarum, devil-may care Hon. Bob
Topsham, eldest son of Lord Cray, upon
whose authority the news Of old Smiths
attachment had been spread abroad.
At first the notion that old Smith could
have succeeded in cutting out the hand
some titled young sub was secuted as ri
diculous, for Smith was not exactly of the
age and appearance to win the love Of a
girl at1whose feet a score of eligible bach
elors of good position and qualifications
were ready to throw themselves. 1t was
very well known, too, that he was not in a
position to support a wife, and his charac-
ter stood too high for any one to dare to
breathe hint that his intentions toward
such girl would be any thing but strictly
brother subs to see for themselves, and ar
ranged that after mess one evening they
should accompany him into the town, con-
ceal themselves and keep watch on the
premises of Ruche & Bustle at the hour
when the young ladies of that famous en-
porium were liberated from their DAVIS sery-
itude. This they did, and they were re-
warded by seeing old Smith walking I'D
and down the street in true cavalier SER
vente style, to be presently joined by Ora
Gle, who greeted him with cordiality, and
pntting her arm in his went OF with him in
The direction of the pleasant fields by which
Filstone is surrounded.
The young gentlemen, with the exception
of Bob Topsham, regarded the affair as an
excellent joke, and resolved that old Smith
should hear of its discovery in divers pleas
ant ways; but Bob Topsham took it very
seriously, for he was head over heels in
love with the girl and up to recent date
had good reason to believe that his affection
was reciprocated, and that he held undi-
vided possession of her heart.
OF course, every one knew that between
Bob Topsham and Oracle Clough very
intimate understanding existed, but the
young gentleman had already fallen in love
half dozen times, and the idea was never
entertained for a moment that the prospect
i've Lord Cray, the heir of one of the
prOudest noblemen in the county, seriously
meditated matrimonial union with a pro.
vincial shop girl; so that he was made the
subject of innumerable witticism aneut the
new rival who had suddenly appeared on
the field. The result was that a GOODNESS
sprung up between him and old Smith.
though they had hitherto been on the best
terms with each other, and it became very
evident to the onloOkers, who hailed with
delight any thing which promised to vary
the monotony of barrsck life in quiet old
country town, that the affair would soon
assume a serious aspect.
The climax came in due course. Bob
Topsham had seen Oracle and the following
conversation had ensued between them:
81 say, Gracie,' said Honorable Bob. 81
wish you'd put me out of my misery and
tell me plainly and honestly how matters
stand between US. You've said scores of
times that you care more for me than for
any other fellow. I've sworn to you that I
could never love another, and vet I've
found out that not only are you in the habit
of meeting Smith of ours, but that YOU
treat him just like favored lover-in fact,
you do with him what you've never done
with me-you go out walking with him
and can't help thinking that you're play
ing double game"